Aura,
a swanky concept by Il Lido group, a renowned F&B group focused
on delivering quality dining experience. Located in the newly minted
National Gallery Singapore, Aura occupied 2 two storey. The 5th
floor focus on delivering Italian contemporary dining experience,
while the 6th
floor will be Sky Lounge, a place where you can chill out with the
view of Singapore landmark.
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| Part of Dining Area and Bar |
This time
around we visited the Italian contemporary dining. The décor of the
restaurant is classy and elegant. Once you entered the restaurant you
can see the combination of dark wood tables with orange leather
chairs, and the bar in the background with extensive bottle of wines
range on display. Marble are used as divider in some part of the
seating area.
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| Part of dining area - different angle |
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| Focaccia with olive bits |
First to
arrive after we place our order is the Focaccia with olive bits. The
warm focaccia has a nice crisp texture on the crust, with soft
internal part of the bread. The olive bits on top really does wander
to enhance the flavour of the bread. There is some olive with
balsamic vinegar on the side to dip your bread with if needed.
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| Focaccia with olive bits with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Dip |
Starters
was shared by the group. Burrata Cheese with Cherry Tomatoes &
Black Olives ($26). One of my all time favourite entrée. The cherry
tomatoes provide the sweetness, arugula salad for a touch of
bitterness. The creamy burrata cheese topped with bits of black
olives with olive oil dressing really binds this dish together.
Delicate and yet full of flavours.
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| Burrata Cheese with Cherry Tomatoes & Black Olives |
Parma Ham
with Musk Melon ($26). This dish is presented like a flower bouquet
on a plate. The arugula salads and ham as the base, while the thinly
sliced musk melon was rolled like a flower.
The parma
ham is addictive like always, moist and
slightly salty. The pale colour melon did not really contribute much
in terms of flavour as it only has a subtle sweetness to it. It was
easily overpowered by the parma ham, you will not miss it if it's not
there. I still prefer my parma ham with bright orange rock melon.
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| Parma Ham with Musk Melon |
Grilled
Octopus with Crispy Egg and Corn ($28). One of the smaller serving
appetizer. The well grilled octopus and corn made a good combination
texture and flavour. Springy & succulent with sweet &
crunchy. The creaminess from the egg yolk and mash potatoes added the
wow factor to the already yummy dish. A must try starter here, though
I wish the portion is slightly bigger.
 |
| Grilled Octopus with Crispy Egg and Corn |
Scallops
Crudo with Truffle and Smoked Quail Eggs ($28). This looks more like
a Japanese carpaccio dish instead of Italian. The scallops is served
au natural, using citrus and vinegar dressing enhance the natural
sweetness of the scallops. The salmon roe added the mini burst of
brainy saltiness, while the truffle oil added to the aroma of the
dish. It looks rustic and complicated, but the ingredients just speak
for itself. Yummy.
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| Scallops Crudo with Truffle and Smoked Quail Eggs |
The
most recommend dishes in Aura are their pasta range. The service
staff will clearly highlighted this to you and featured heavily on
their special menu. With that, I decided to try their Whole Wheat
Tagliatelle With Duck & Foie Gras ($32). From the first bite, you
can taste the difference between fresh pasta and dried pasta. The
flat and thick later of pasta has a natural soft springiness to it.
The tagliatelle did well to absorb the bold, robust and rich duck
gravy and made gorgeous pairing with the smooth and velvety cubed
foie gras. Yum Yum, it is indeed a must try dish.
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| Whole Wheat Tagliatelle With Duck & Foie Gras |
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| Whole Wheat Tagliatelle With Duck & Foie Gras (Check out the pasta) |
I
also sample Tagliolini with Scampi and Avruga Caviar ($38) from a
fellow foodies. Tagliolini is thinly cut and springy pasta commonly
used for a lighter type of sauce. In this dish, scampi and caviar are
used together combine with the richness from the butter. Watch out
for the touch of shredded chilli, in which give a nice twist to the
dish.
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| Tagliolini with Scampi and Avruga Caviar |
For
sweet ending of the meal, we had Tiramisu ($15) and Bailey's &
Hazelnut Feuilantine ($15). Unlike the traditional Tiramisu, I
personally like the new touch to it. Light and creamy cream, with
sponge cake base in between. The taste of coffee liquor, chocolate
are nicely balanced, topped off with crunchy chocolate balls. Love
it.
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| Tiramisu |
Meanwhile
Bailey's & Hazelnut Feuilletine deliver a rich chocolate ending
to the meal. It really taste like a Nutella dessert. I realised the
Bailey's actually almost non-existent in this dessert. It can do with
a couple more berries on the side, to counter the richness in this
desserts.
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| Bailey's & Hazelnut Feuilletine |
From
the service point of view, the service staff was great. He was
entertaining me with list of today's special while I was waiting for
the rest of the guest to come. He was friendly, accommodating, not
intrusive, know the food menu inside out. Wine recommendation was
handled by the sommelier, which was very knowledgeable and
professional throughout the entire process.
Overall,
Aura is definitely a place to try for Italian Contemporary dining
experience. I personally recommended the Scallops Crudo, Grilled
Octopus, the Pastas and Tiramisu. It will create a dent on the
wallet, but definitely worth the experience. Looking forward to the
next visit in their Sky Lounge. Saluti!! Cheers!!
Food
& Drink: 8/10
Value:
6.5/10
Service:
9/10
Ambiance:
9/10
Budget
per Person: $51 - $80; $81 and Above
Art Restaurant (previously Aura)
1 St. Andrew Road
#06-02 National
Gallery Singapore
Singapore 178957
T: +65 6866 1977
IG: @artrestaurantsg
OH:
Tue - Sun: 12.00 – 14.00; 18.00 –
22.00
Closed on Monday
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